Imaging in Neuropathic Arthropathy (Charcot Joint) 

Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) can be defined as bone and joint changes that occur secondary to loss of sensation and that accompany a variety of disorders. Charcot first described the relationship between loss of sensation and arthropathy in 1868. The radiographic changes of this condition include destruction of articular surfaces, opaque subchondral bones, joint debris, deformity, and dislocation (see the images below). Neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) poses a special problem in imaging when it is associated with a soft-tissue infection.^{[1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7]}

Leprosy is one of many causes of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint); joint manifestations of this disease include signs of Charcot disease, which advances despite treatment.^[8] Neuropathic arthropathy related to diabetes, syphilis, leprosy, and connective tissue disorders is more common in the elderly population. Neuroarthropathy related to asymbolia, spina bifida, and spinal trauma is more common in young individuals. Sensory impairment associated with spina bifida and myelomeningocele is the most frequent cause of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) in childhood.

Neuropathic arthropathy can be classified into hypertrophic and atrophic types. Hypertrophic changes predominate in the upper motor neuron lesions, and atrophic changes occur in peripheral nerve injuries. The early stage of osteoarthritis simulates neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint), both radiologically and pathologically.

Progressive joint effusion, fracture, fragmentation, and subluxation should raise the suspicion of neuroarthropathy. In the advanced stage, abnormal findings on radiographs include subchondral sclerosis, osteophytosis, subluxation, and soft-tissue swelling. Long-standing neuroarthropathy is characterized by disorganization of joints. The finding of considerable amounts of cartilaginous and osseous debris within the synovial membrane (termed detritic synovitis) should alert the pathologist that the changes may represent a neuropathic joint. Other causes of detritic synovitis include osteonecrosis, calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease, psoriatic arthritis, osteoarthritis, and osteolysis with detritic synovitis.

Preferred examination

Radiography may be the only imaging required for the diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint). In the appropriate clinical setting, a fairly accurate diagnosis can be achieved. The roles of ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) scanning are limited; however, these 2 modalities can be helpful in identifying any local collection, and they can be used to guide aspiration cytology. The role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and radionuclide scanning is to differentiate soft-tissue infection from osteomyelitis.^{[9, 10]}

Limitation of techniques

Radiographic findings in the early stages of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) may simulate osteoarthritis. Radiographs may not demonstrate findings that help in diagnosing osteomyelitis in neuropathic joints, which is a common problem.

The roles of ultrasonography and CT scanning are limited. Ultrasonography can be used to identify any local collection when infection occurs and to guide aspiration for cytologic analysis; however, it provides no further information regarding the integrity of underlying bone. Although CT scanning may be helpful in evaluating cortical destruction, sequestra, and intraosseous gas, these changes are not specific for neuropathic arthropathy.

The role of MRI and radionuclide scanning is to differentiate soft-tissue infection from osteomyelitis. Bone marrow edema is nonspecific and has several causes; therefore, differentiating bone marrow edema from neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) may not be possible on the basis of MRI findings alone. Similarly, enhanced bone activity on radionuclide scans is a nonspecific finding and may occur with several neoplastic, inflammatory, and degenerative processes.

Differential diagnosis and other problems to be considered

Calcium pyrophosphate deposition disease and primary osteoarthritis are in the differential diagnosis. In addition, in the early stage, neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) can simulate osteoarthritis, and bone fragmentation and collapse are seen in osteonecrosis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, intra-articular steroid injection, infection, and alkaptonuria.

Special concerns

The incidence of osteomyelitis is increased in patients with neuropathic joints, particularly in the foot. Hence, careful follow-up imaging is essential.

Radiologic features of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) are the same irrespective of the etiology and distribution. Early stage radiographic findings include persistent or progressive joint effusion, narrowing of the joint space, soft-tissue calcification, minimal subluxation, preservation of bone density (unless infected), and fragmentation of eburnated subchondral bone.

In the late stage, there is radiographic evidence of destruction of articular surfaces, subchondral sclerosis, osteophytosis, intra-articular loose bodies (bag of bones), subluxation, Lisfranc fracture/dislocation of midtarsal bones, and rapid bone resorption demonstrating pencil-in-a-cup deformity (see the images below). Complications of septic arthritis that are demonstrated on radiographs include osteomyelitis and bone ankylosis.

Distribution of joint disease varies depending on the etiology. In diabetic neuropathy, common sites of involvement are the metatarsophalangeal, tarsometatarsal, and intertarsal joints (see the images below).

In syringomyelia, neuropathic changes are relatively more common in the shoulder joint, followed by the elbow and wrist. The lower extremities can also be affected in syringomyelia. Changes in the spine are most characteristic in the cervical region.

The joints of the lower extremity are commonly affected in patients with tabes dorsalis (see the images below). Other common sites include the joints of the forefoot and midfoot and the vertebral column.

The ankle and intertarsal joints are commonly involved in patients with myelomeningocele and congenital insensitivity to pain (asymbolia). The interphalangeal joints of the hands and the metatarsophalangeal joints of the feet are commonly affected in patients with leprosy (see the following image). Neuropathic arthropathy associated with chronic alcoholism commonly involves the metatarsophalangeal and interphalangeal joints. The knee and ankle appear to be the predominant sites of involvement in patients with amyloidosis.

Degree of confidence

Radiographic features found in the severe form of neuropathic arthropathy are pathognomonic, and no further imaging is necessary. Bone eburnation, fracture, subluxation, and joint disorganization can be more profound in this disorder. However, early changes may resemble osteoarthritis, and the bone collapse seen in the late stage may resemble osteonecrosis and posttraumatic osteoarthritis. Radiography is a relatively insensitive modality when used in the diagnosis of osteomyelitis.

False positives/negatives

Early features of neuropathic arthropathy, such as joint space narrowing, marginal osteophytosis, and subchondral sclerosis, may resemble osteoarthritis. Neuropathylike arthropathy can be seen in patients with calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate deposition disease. Bone fragmentation and collapse are manifestations of osteonecrosis, posttraumatic osteoarthritis, intra-articular steroid arthropathy, infection, and alkaptonuria.

As with ultrasonography, CT scanning has no significant role in the diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy. However, CT scans may be helpful in evaluating cortical destruction, sequestra, and intraosseous gas (see the following image).

On T1-weighted MRIs, joints involved in neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) appear diffusely swollen and demonstrate low signal intensity. The fat plane adjacent to the skin ulceration appears hypointense; when the joints are infected with a gas-producing organism, areas showing a loss of signal intensity are seen. After the intravenous administration of a gadolinium-based contrast agent, the inflammatory mass enhances and demonstrates central nonenhancing necrotic debris.

On short-tau inversion recovery (STIR) sequences, early bone infection may be evidenced by high-signal marrow edema. Later, loss of clarity of the cortical outline and cortical destruction can be identified.

Features that help differentiate spinal neuroarthropathy from disk infection include joint disorganization; facet involvement; debris; a pattern of diffuse signal intensity in the vertebral bodies; spondylolisthesis; and rim enhancement of the disk on gadolinium-enhanced MRIs.^[11] Features that do not help in differentiation include endplate sclerosis, erosions, osteophytes, a reduction in disk height, and paraspinal soft-tissue masses.

Gadolinium warning

Gadolinium-based contrast agents (gadopentetate dimeglumine [Magnevist], gadobenate dimeglumine [MultiHance], gadodiamide [Omniscan], gadoversetamide [OptiMARK], gadoteridol [ProHance]) have been linked to the development of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) or nephrogenic fibrosing dermopathy (NFD). For more information, see the eMedicine topic Nephrogenic Systemic Fibrosis. The disease has occurred in patients with moderate to end-stage renal disease after being given a gadolinium-based contrast agent to enhance MRI or MRA scans.

NSF/NFD is a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease. Characteristics include red or dark patches on the skin; burning, itching, swelling, hardening, and tightening of the skin; yellow spots on the whites of the eyes; joint stiffness with trouble moving or straightening the arms, hands, legs, or feet; pain deep in the hip bones or ribs; and muscle weakness. For more information, see the FDA Public Health Advisory or Medscape.

Degree of confidence

MRI plays a significant role in diagnosing complications. Findings help in assessing the extent of the disease and in determining the presence of osteomyelitis.

False positives/negatives

Differentiating bone changes that result from neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) from those that result from infection is difficult. Bone marrow edema is a nonspecific finding that can be seen in both neuropathic arthropathy and in infection. In general, bone marrow edema found close to a skin ulceration and away from a joint suggests infection.

Ultrasonography has no role in the diagnosis of neuropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint). However, this modality can be used to identify any local collection when an infection occurs, and ultrasonography can be used to guide aspiration for obtaining cytologic specimens.

The role of radioisotopic studies is to detect osteomyelitis in a neuropathic joint.^[12] Three-phase phosphate scintigraphy has a high sensitivity (85%) but a low specificity (55%) because of bone remodeling of other causes. Studies using uptake of the gallium-67 (⁶⁷ Ga) citrate have a high false-positive rate. Scanning using indium-111 (¹¹¹ In)–labeled leukocytes has the highest sensitivity (87%) and specificity (81%) for detecting osteomyelitis in a neuropathic foot. The role of positron emission tomography (PET) scanning with fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) is promising.^[13]

One study has shown a valuable role of FDG-PET scanning in the setting of neuroarthropathic arthropathy (Charcot joint) by reliably differentiating it from osteomyelitis, both in general and when foot ulcer is present.^[14] In diabetic patients in the setting of concomitant foot ulcer, FDG-PET scanning accurately rules out osteomyelitis. Basu and associates estimated a 100% sensitivity and 93.8% accuracy of FDG-PET scanning in the diagnosis of Charcot foot; by contrast, MRI had a sensitivity of 76.9% and an accuracy of 75%.^[14]

Degree of confidence

Increased uptake on radioisotope scan is seen in both neuropathic joints and in infection. Three-phase bone scan and⁶⁷ Ga scintigraphy are sensitive but not specific. Imaging using¹¹¹ In-labeled leukocytes has the highest sensitivity and specificity.

False positives/negatives

The incidence of false-positive results is increased because of coexisting bone remodeling.